Ventura comes together to edge Buena again

Ventura High running back Noah Conboy (right) tries to get around the outside, but is tackled by Buena High free safety Devin Morris during Friday night's rivalry game at Ventura High. The Cougars won, 23-21.(Photo: RICHARD QUINN/SPECIAL TO THE STAR)Buy Photo

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Ventura High's Louie Garza (right) gets dragged down on a kickoff return by Buena High's Jerrett Howery during Friday night's rivalry game at Ventura High. The Cougars beat the Bulldogs, 23-21, for their eighth straight win over their crosstown rivals. RICHARD QUINN/SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Ventura High running back Noah Conboy (right) tries to get around the outside, but is tackled by Buena High free safety Devin Morris during Friday night's rivalry game at Ventura High. The Cougars won, 23-21. RICHARD QUINN/SPECIAL TO THE STAR

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Despite sitting out the first quarter with a myriad of maladies, including hand, rib and hip injuries, senior running back Chuck Wick rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown.

The transfer from St. Bonaventure High also had an interception on the goal line.

“This is the most excited I’ve been in my whole life,” said Wick.

Quarterback Kyle Gerardi completed 14 of 17 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown, receiver Louie Garza caught seven passes for 74 yards and a touchdown and sophomore Rourke Rieman converted three field goals, including the 43-yarder that provided the eventual margin of victory with 6:35 to play.

But the Bulldogs’ passing attack was slowed by a Cougars defense that doubled Andrew Tilkens and Justin Anderson on the outside.

“We had a hard time getting guys open,” Buena coach Ryan Bolland. “They had a good game plan.”

Buena eventually adjusted. Running back Tanner Butterbaugh had 105 yards of his 134 yards from scrimmage on 10 check-down passes, many as the Bulldogs scrambled to dig out of a two-score deficit over the final six minutes.

It regained possession on its 20 with 3:19 to play and drove into Ventura territory. But the potential game-winning drive was halted by Ventura sophomore T.J. Barlow’s diving interception with 2:07 left.

Avila and company, which includes left guard Giulian Nicolini, center Brock Peterson, right guard Jason Castro and right trackle Adrian Lugo, paved the way for three scoring drives in four possessions as the Cougars took control.

Rieman converted a 37-yard field goal, Wick broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run and Rieman was good again from 43 yards to give Ventura a 23-14 lead with 6:35 to play.